Madrid Event to Host Banks and Fintechs on Stablecoin Strategy
MERGE Madrid 2026 will take place from October 27 to 29, with Santander, BBVA, Trade Republic, and Western Union among participants discussing stablecoins. BBVA and other banks will address their involvement in Qivalis, a 37-member consortium preparing a MiCA-regulated euro stablecoin, while Western Union will present its USDPT stablecoin. The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 attendees and 250 international speakers to the Madrid Stock Exchange and Cibeles Palace.
MERGE Madrid 2026 is scheduled for October 27–29 at the Madrid Stock Exchange and Cibeles Palace, with organizers expecting more than 3,000 attendees and 250 international speakers. The agenda centers on stablecoins as payments and settlement infrastructure rather than a niche crypto topic.
BBVA and peers will discuss Qivalis, a 37-member, 15-country consortium developing a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin, targeted for commercial release in 2026’s second half pending approval. Santander will outline exploratory work with global banks on reserve-backed digital money for public blockchains. Trade Republic will cover retail access, while Western Union presents USDPT, a Solana-based dollar token issued by Anchorage Digital Bank.
The push by banks, fintechs, and payment firms could gradually make digital money more familiar to everyday users, especially people sending remittances or making cross-border payments. If regulated euro and dollar tokens work as described, they may reduce some costs and delays, though consumers could also face new choices about custody, privacy, and reliance on private issuers. Businesses and financial institutions may gain faster settlement tools, while regulators and less tech-savvy users could need clearer safeguards and education.